Former England defender Ryan Bertrand is fronting an investment group that has tabled a proposed £87m minority investment in League One side AFC Wimbledon. The bid, which was presented to Dons Trust members on Wednesday night, sees the former Chelsea, Southampton, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest player partner with British technology expert Omar Mir. Mir is serving as the sole funder for the planned minority share acquisition through the investment firm Sloane Street Capital (SSC).
Under the submitted terms, SSC would provide an immediate £16m upon completion to secure a 34% minority holding in AFCW PLC, the company responsible for operating the club. The remaining £71m would be distributed across five seasons through to the 2030-31 campaign. If the agreement is finalised, SSC would manage football operations with Bertrand acting as senior football advisor, while operating inside financial frameworks and processes established by the AFCW PLC board. Furthermore, sports executive Oliver Ward and Cheyne Capital co-founder Stuart Fiertz would occupy two of the 12 seats on the club's board, alongside an additional observer role.
Fan governance remains central to the transaction, with the Dons Trust keeping its 50.01% voting majority, unaffected voting rights, and veto power over the freehold of the Cherry Red Records Stadium at Plough Lane, alongside protections over the club's badge, colours, name, ground, and constitution. Stringent terms ensure that if SSC misses a scheduled payment, its value growth terminates immediately and control reverts to the club within three months, with the Trust also holding first-refusal rights to block unsuitable buyers if SSC ever sells. Bertrand, who earned 19 international appearances for England and lifted the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup with Chelsea, stated: "AFC Wimbledon's story is unique in English football and it was built by its supporters. We felt at home from our very first meetings. We are not here to change what this club is. We are here to help it go further on and off the pitch, for the men's team, the women's team and the academy."
The decision now rests with the fanbase, as the voting window for Dons Trust members runs until 17 November. SSC was identified as the preferred partner after the board assessed more than 20 prospective investors following an earlier member vote approving external investment under strict fan-ownership protections. Background and source-of-funds checks on the consortium members have already been concluded by club legal representatives. Endorsing the proposal, Dons Trust board chair Angus Fox stated: "The deal brings at least £87m into AFC Wimbledon over five years, while the Trust keeps a permanent majority of the votes, control of the Plough Lane freehold and a veto over everything that makes us who we are. We have set out the factors to weigh as plainly as the opportunities. The board recommends a yes vote, but this is our members' club and our members' decision."